GLANDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- Glendale's historic Sears and Roebuck building used to be an art deco centerpiece of downtown Glendale . Now, it's the center of a battle between a property developer and the city's mayor.

Located at the intersection of Central and California avenues, the Sears building opened its doors in 1936. But Sears declared bankruptcy in 2018, and the building has now been vacant for about a year and a half.

The owner of the building has submitted plans to tear it down and replace it with housing, commercial space and a public park.

Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, however, argues the building should be preserved for its historic significance.

"This was a favorite store. Many people had their first jobs here, they met their spouses here, they bought their first bicycle,

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